Martha Lynn Petersen
July 19, 1934 — March 29, 2023
Martha Lynn Petersen, daughter of Lynval and Tina (Sharp) Arnold, was born on July 19, 1934 in Chandler, Oklahoma. She grew up in Harlan, Iowa and graduated from Harlan High School with the class of 1952. On May 29, 1955, Martha was united in marriage to Ronald Petersen in Kirkman, IA. Four children were born to this marriage: Daniel, Shari, Keith and Kevin. After they married they moved to Council Bluffs for a year and then moved to Avoca where they made their forever home.
Over the years, Martha worked various jobs. She drove a dump truck with Ron, owned a Sinclair station in Avoca, worked at the meat counter in the grocery story with Ron Schuning, worked at the Avoca Nursing Home and West Central Development doing office work. She loved traveling to Arizona in the Winter to go flea marketing with Ron, loved playing cards, was a Boy Scout leader and involved in a snowmobile group.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Martha passed away with her family by her side at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of 88 years, 8 months and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ronald; and siblings Donald, Kenneth and Robert.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Daniel (Ruth) Petersen of Red Wing, Minnesota; Shari Anderson of Avoca, Iowa (Tom Anderson of Oakland, Iowa); Keith Petersen of Avoca, Iowa; Kevin (Gwen) Petersen of Saint Augustine, Florida; 6 grandchildren: Nicki (Pat) Woltersen, Derek (Chris) Riegelman, Tyna (Daniel) Anderson, Joshua (Mikayla) Anderson, Kal Petersen and Kara (Ozzy) Petersen; 2 great grandchildren; Riker and Gavin; siblings Glen Arnold of Maryville, Missouri; Raymond (Susan) Arnold of Minden, Iowa; sisters-in-law Audrey Arnold of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Vivian Arnold of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.
Over the years, Martha worked various jobs. She drove a dump truck with Ron, owned a Sinclair station in Avoca, worked at the meat counter in the grocery story with Ron Schuning, worked at the Avoca Nursing Home and West Central Development doing office work. She loved traveling to Arizona in the Winter to go flea marketing with Ron, loved playing cards, was a Boy Scout leader and involved in a snowmobile group.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Martha passed away with her family by her side at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of 88 years, 8 months and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ronald; and siblings Donald, Kenneth and Robert.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Daniel (Ruth) Petersen of Red Wing, Minnesota; Shari Anderson of Avoca, Iowa (Tom Anderson of Oakland, Iowa); Keith Petersen of Avoca, Iowa; Kevin (Gwen) Petersen of Saint Augustine, Florida; 6 grandchildren: Nicki (Pat) Woltersen, Derek (Chris) Riegelman, Tyna (Daniel) Anderson, Joshua (Mikayla) Anderson, Kal Petersen and Kara (Ozzy) Petersen; 2 great grandchildren; Riker and Gavin; siblings Glen Arnold of Maryville, Missouri; Raymond (Susan) Arnold of Minden, Iowa; sisters-in-law Audrey Arnold of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Vivian Arnold of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martha Lynn Petersen, please visit our flower store.